Andrei Kuzmenko returning to Canucks lineup vs. Kraken

Vancouver Canucks' Andrei Kuzmenko speaks for the first time after getting hit by a puck in his face, talks about the moment it happened and not wanting to wear the face shield.

Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko will make his return to the lineup Saturday against the Seattle Kraken after missing one game with an injury.

Kuzmenko was injured in Wednesday’s game against the New York Islanders when he was hit in the face with a puck. He went to hospital that night as a precautionary measure and did not play Friday against the Calgary Flames.

“After (missing) one game, I come back,” Kuzmenko told reporters on Saturday. “Very important moment for me because I don’t want to lose game.”

Kuzmenko, 27, had an assist in that game to bring his season total to 14 points in 16 games.

In his first year in the NHL last season, Kuzmenko had a breakout campaign that saw him score 39 goals and 74 points in 81 games.

Watch the Canucks host the Kraken live on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+ starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

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